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mgh from Des Moines, IA on 9/3/2015 3:01:36 PM:
Hello, my husband and I are planning a round trip from Clint to Machens and back to Clinton in mid October. We have had a lot of rain in Iowa this year and it is a muddy mess. I'm wondering how the trial is right now and maybe what we can plan for.
Thanks in advance - looking forward to discovering this great trail!
M.

 
Don from Ellisville, MO on 9/3/2015 7:29:43 PM:
We had a lot of rain through July along the Katy as well, but it has been dry (too dry!) for the last couple of weeks. Combined with the higher temps, I believe there are no problems with mud right now. October is usually a drier month in Missouri anyway. You're going to need to be prepared for the early morning chill followed by the very warm afternoon sun. Temps can swing from 45 to 85 during the day in October.

 
Anonymous on 9/3/2015 7:55:01 PM:
Trail conditions a month and a half before your trip are pretty irrelevant. Your concern would be more realistic a day or two before your mid October venture. After rain, the trail dries rather quickly as it is limestone and not dirt path.

 
Cathy from Jefferson City on 9/3/2015 9:46:23 PM:
When we do get storms along the Katy Trail DNR does a very good job of clearing trees that have fallen on the trail or washouts. If there are washouts that they can't get fixed in a day they will clearly mark the problem. In most cases you can get by it. If there's a problem that requires a detour they may post something on this site, but they will for sure post something on their State Parks Site. I believe there is a link to that on this site's homepage under trail conditions. October is a great time of year here, unless it's not. I've biked the trail in the last 3 weeks in the central section, from mile marker 159 (east of Easley) to mile marker 115.9, Portland. The trail is currently in great shape in this section. You'll have a great time.

 
mgh from Des Moines, IA on 9/4/2015 1:35:02 PM:
Thank you Don & Cathy for the helpful information! We are looking forward to our trip. : )

 
Anonymous on 9/5/2015 10:02:25 PM:
I did the 40 miles between Hartsburg and Boonville on September 2 and the trail was hard and fast and very dry. Granted...it's only one small sample.. but you could have ridden on a road bike on that easily. I rode 35s and they were overkill. Kind of wishing I had ridden the bike with 28s...

 
mgh from Des Moines on 9/14/2015 9:06:52 AM:
Thanks for the update Anonymous! I've got all of our overnights planned & we are excited! Looking forward to riding this great trail! Thanks again! Enjoy the ride : )

 
Anonymous on 9/15/2015 8:23:28 PM:
mgh, I am sure you will love the Katy trail. I am excited for you! I've ridden the entire trail and also spent many hours riding sections and I never get sick of it!

 
Beth from Newton KS on 9/25/2015 3:14:24 PM:
Just biked from Clinton to McBaine and back. The trail was awesome! Saw lots of wild life, nice quiet time riding through the woods. Other bikers were friendly. I will be biking the entire trail next year. I know you will have a wonderful time!

 
CK from St. Peters, MO on 9/30/2015 8:27:10 AM:
Is the trail still closed between St. Charles and Machens (Mile 35)? There was lots of damage from the flooding there and it was closed when I rode that way earlier this summer.

 
Anonymous on 10/3/2015 9:09:38 AM:
QTo Ck in the post directly above this one. As of 9/17/2015 the signs were still present indicating the trail closed between MM 35-34. However, the trail is passable with little difficulty. The surface is currently dirt instead of limestone. (again, as of 9/17/2015)

 
Locotuss from St Charles on 9/19/2016 3:28:39 PM:
09/19/16 the red fencing is still up indicating the trail is closed, surface is a sandy mud mix, I guess call it silt. stays a little wet after rain. the 1 mile or so area is passable. that area is the lowest above sea level so stays wet or damp longer than others. there is a levee to the side you can ride on but I'm sure that is private property so at your risk there. was a nice ride from St Charles to Machens, not many riders on a pretty Sunday.

 
maeg from stl on 9/19/2016 5:00:48 PM:
your comment 9-19-16 implies that we can start Katy at Machens despite the fact the trail is officially closed? Is seems like the trail is actually rideable in most places, though may require a by-pass on the levee that is probably on private property.

 
TomWinKC from KC on 9/19/2016 9:05:03 PM:
I finished the Trail today including a final ride from St Charles to Machens. Officially the trail is closed about 4 1/2 miles from St Charles for about 3/4 of a mile. The ground is very tacky and heavy equipment was working to repair the trails condition but passable around the orange construction netting.